Pressure-controlling mechanism



w. E. BIHL PRESSURE CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed May 6. 1925 ajizffigssz .z ui'zazi gzgg f wzh MM 474 m Um to provide a simple, compact and inexpenunder comparatively high pressure.

Patented Dec. 21', 1926.

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WILLIAM .E. BIHL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO IRON MOUNTAIN CO., OF

' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PRESSURE-CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 6. 1925. Serial No. 28,318.

This invention in general pertainsto pressurecontrolling mechanism and more particularly to improvements in valve devices. I have reference more specifically to that type of valve devices, commonly termed expansion valves, such as those employed to regulate and control the supply of a refri erant to the expansion coil or chamber in; retrigerating apparatus. I Y

To those versatile and familiar with the refrigerating art. itis well known that in a refrigerating apparatus the refrigeratingmedium is supplied to the expansion coils from areceiver containing liquid refrigerant Ordinarily, the passage of the refrigerant from the liquid receiver to the expansion coil is (ontrolled by a, so-called expansion valve through which the refrigeraut'is permitted to pass in small quantities as it is needed. After the refrigerant has passed through the' above mentioned expansion valve, it enters the expansion coil or chamber under a low pressure, wherein it expands so as to cool the air or other medium surrounding the coil, in a manner well: known to those skilled in the art. When the refrigerant medium in the expansion coil has expanded to a sufiicient degree and has taken up the maximum, amount of heat under the involved conditions, it is returned to. the liquid receiver as a liquid under high pressure, by a suitable mechanism such as a compressor. It then may pass again to the expansion valve which admits it to the expansion coil as before.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved pressure controlling device. 7

Another object of the present invention is sive, but yet strong expansion valve which will efliciently control the flow of the refrigerant to the'expansion coils.

- A further object of the present invention is to provide an expansion valve of such a construction as to facilitate adjustment thereof and which will permit of its being taken apart for cleaning or repair, as the case may be.

In accordance with the general features of the invention. there is provided an expansion'valve casing comprising two parts bolted together with a diaphragm therebctween.

Positioned-on oneside of the diaphragm in one of the parts of the casing is a relatively strong adjustable spring for deflectin the diaphragm. Located on the other side of the diaphragm in the other part of the casing is a weaker adjustable spring for 'coun-- teracting the pressure of the first spring. (onnected to the weaker spring is leverage mechanism for controlling a needle valve in the inlet of the expansion valve proper. Associated with the same part of the casing as the inlet, is an outlet'which is adapted to be connected to an expansion coil. WVhen the pressure of the refrigerant in the outlet and in the expansion coil is below a predetermined amount, the total pressure on the diaphragm, on the side of the'weaker spring, is slightly less than that exerted on the opposite side of the diaphragmby the larger spring. Consequently, the diaphragm is deflected in the direction of the low pressure thereby compressing the weaker spring,

causing the leverage mechanism to open the needle valve in the inlet to allow liquid to enter the outlet and expansion coil; On the other hand, when suflicient refrigerant has entered the outlet and expansion'coil to in crease the pressure tothe previousl'ynientioned, predetermined amount, the reverse action takes place closing the needle valve. That is to say, the pressure of the liquid in the valve and expansion coil is then sufiicient to move the diaphragm back to its undeflected position, overcoming the pressure exerted by the strong spring. In other words, the valve is really a balanced pressure regulating device. i

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection'with the accompanying draw ings which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and in which 3 p Fig. 1 is an elevation of the improved expansion valve with its cap removed; and

Fig. 2 is a sectionalrview taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1] looking in the direction disposed hub 16 provided with a central securednto the partll by bolts 13.

phragm 13 preferably made of a thin disc of flexible metal, separates the part 11 from in the form of a cap'and is adapted to be- A diathe part- 12 and is clamped to the part 11 by the part 12 and the bolts 13. Intermediate the flange 1a of, the part 11 and the diaphragm 13, is a ring-like gasket 15 which may be made of any suitable material.

The part 12 is equipped with a centrally bore '17 which extends completely through the part 12. Threaded into the outer end.

of the bore 17 is aplug 18 equipped with a screw driver slot 19 and a stud 20, Threaded onto the outer end of the hub 16 is a readily removable cap 21, the function of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Thepart- 12 is equipped with a ring-like depression or seat 25 in which is seated a pressure plate 26 provided with a centrally disposed stud 27 which projects into the bore 17 and is in alignment with the stud 20 of the plug 18; The side of the backing plate 26 opposite that of the stud 27 formed thereon, is contiguous with the diaphragm Positioned in the bore 17 intermediate the plug 18 and the plate 26 and surrounding the studs 20- and 27, is-a compression spring 28. Ubviously' by removing the cap 21 and. turning the plug 18, the pressure of the compression spring 28 exerted on the plate 26 and the contiguous diaphragm 13 may be varied. I

The part 11 ispro-vided with a passage? way 29 into the outer end of which is threaded an inlet pipe 30 which may be connected to the usual receiver (not shown) in the conventional manner. The part 11 is provided with another passageway 32 which communicates at its inner end with the interior or space 33 of. the partll, and at its outer end with an outlet pipe 3d threaded therein. The outlet pipe may be I connected in the usual .or conventional way to an ex ansion coil or chamber as the case lhot shown).

Positioned inside of the partll in the space 3,3 and secured to the inner'wall of the part 11 by bolts 35 (Fig. 1), is a bracketlike member 36 equipped with a pair of arms '37. Located intermediate the free ends of the arms 37 isa lever 38 pivoted thereto in any'suitable manner by a pin 39. Passing through one end 4:0 of the lever .orarm 38 is a member 41 equipped with a threaded portion 42 threaded into the end 40. The member l1 is provided with a button head 43 and a shank 44. the'end of which acts as astop for preventing the diaphragn'i from being over-deflected, as will be more fully described hereinafter. It should be noted however. that the end of the shank portion 44 is spaced from the interior wall of the part 11 (Fig. 2) when the diaphragm 13 is in its undefiected position.

Located intermediate the end 10 and the interior wall of the part 11 is a spring 45 which surrounds the shank 44a and a portion of the threaded part 42. Threaded onto the portion 42 in front of the end 40 of the lever 38, is a lock nut aththe function of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The other end of the lever 38 is forked and straddles the flat end (Fig. 1) 51 of a needle valve member 52, the needle valve be- I ing designated generally by reference numeral 53'. The other end 53 of the member projects into an opening 54: in a seat plug 55 threaded into the passageway 29. The end 53 is pointed and is shown in Fig. 2

-,.as being seated in a pin-like aperture 56 in the seat plug 55 The pin-like aperture communicates with the inlet 30 through the means of a countersunk bore 57 in the end of the plug The member 52 and the seat plug 55 comprise the members of the heretofore mentioned needle valve 53'. The

plug 55 is provided with a small annular groove 59 into which .a small amount of litharge is placed prior to screwing the plug in place. p f lnterposed between the inner end of the scat plug 55'and the end of the inlet pipe- 30 in the passageway- 29, is a screen 58. The screen 58 is cup shaped and fits into a pocket formed in the boss to 'which the pipe 30 is connected. The screen is filled with. a packing of glass wool which filters the incoming fluid and takes out any particles of dust, scale, etc., which might be contained in the system and which might get under the valve 53. The screen 58 and its packing may be removed when the pipe 30 is disconnected. filter and is not attacked by the usual refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide. ammonia, etc. Anyother suitable material might be used. The purpose of this screen 58 and its packing of glass wool is simply to protect.

coil (not shown) must be equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. 1

er than the spring 45.- It is adjusted through the medium of the plug 18, as previously pointed out,-to exert a pressure on the dia- Glasswool makes a good.

That is to say; no

' valve itself. the outlet and the expansion The compressionspring 28 is much strongmin phragm 13 through the medium of the plate" 26 slightly less than the predetermined amount of pressure mentioned above. When the pressure of the refrigerant in the expansion valve, the outlet, and in the-expansion coil, is below the predetermined amount, the total pressure on the diaphragm, by the fluid in the Valve and coil. is slightly less than that exerted on the opposite side of the diaphramby the large'spring 28. Consequently, the diaphragm is deflected 1. in the'direct-ion of the low pressure, thereby, through the button head member 41, compressing the' Weaker spring 45." The deflection of the diaphragmis limited by the shank portion'of the stud. 41- .coming into. contact with the inner Wall "of the casing.

-This movement of the member 41 causes the'valve member 52th1 ough the lever 38 to be unseated, thereby opening the needle valve and permitting .the fluid to flow.

cock, is then sufiicient to'move the dia-- phragm backto its undeflected, position,

overcoming. the pressure exerted by the spring 28. The liquid in the expansion valve has a sufiicient pressure to maintain the diaphragm inits undeflected position; As soon, however, as the pressure of the liquid falls belowthe predetermined amount,

I the needle valve 53' is again closed.

.' the total pressure on the diaphragm 13fis slightly 'less than that exertedon the op-,

In order to illustrate the foregoing more clearly, let us assume that the adjustable plug '18 is set to give the spring 28 a pressure of one pound. When the pressure in;

the outlet 34 is slightly belowone pound,

posite side .of the diaphragm by the spring 28. Consequently, the diaphragm; deflects in the direction of thelower pressure. The

head of the member 41 being in contactwith the diaphragm, also moves, causing the needle valve 53 to open and allowing the liquid to flow. When sufiicient refrigerant has entered the expansion. valve outlet 34 and the expansion coil (not shown) to-in'-' crease the pressure to one pound, the reverse action-takes place which closes the needle valve. My expansion valve, in other words.

is in reality a form of a balanced pressure regulating or controlling, device. I

In assembling my valve, it is preferable that a slight clearance be allowed between the diaphragm 13 and the button head 43,

the present time I desire it understood, however, that my 115 in so far as defined by the scope and spirit so'as not to hold the needle valve 53 open. when the diaphragm 13 is in a neutral position. I find that a clearance of ,010' inches adequately serves. this purpose. This feature facilitates the manufacturing of the valve andenables the ready'replacement of parts in the valve 'when'it is in operation,

as .well as to permit-it to be easily and readily adjusted to the "necessary clearance.

The removable seat plug 55 is. also; an ideal construction, since it enables it to be readily replaced or removed from its thread- 3 ed bore. Then, too, by applying litharge to the small annular groove 59 before screwmg.

theplug 55 into place, I eliminate the neces-f sity of employing a gasket. The litharge forms. a seal tight connection between thei plug and the. inner walls of the casing.

The lock nut 46 servesto limit the movement of the. member 41. By loosening this '8 .-nut and turning the button head 43,. 'thei pressure of thespring 45 may be variedx- .Now the cap 21 serves to prevent the moisture and condensation in the vicinity of L the expansion valve from entering the sprin bore 17. -Without this cap, moisture and condensation .will' seep into the seat of the presure' plate26. It should be remembered that the expansion valve is usually employed 1 in an atmosphere in which the temperature v quite frequently'drops below32 degrees F.

or the freezing point. "It is evident, therefore, .thatany moisture-andcondensatlon which might get into the seat of the pressure plate would freeze, causing the valve. 9 to be" inoperative in the oil? direction. Capv 21, as stated, obviates this 'possibility. From the foregoing, it will be "apparent that the. parts subject to service, maybe easily and quickly removed from the expansion valveand replaced. This is particularly true of the members comprisingthe needle valve 53, namely, the valvemember 52 and the plug seat: 55. Then,

too, ,my improved expansion valve above described, is believed to function far moreefliciently and quickly than the average type of valve of this character in existence at invention is not to be limited by the fore: going descri tion of" what I deem the preerred embo iment of my invention, but only of the appended claims.

I claim J p 1.. In combination, a casing, an inlet to the casing, an outlet to the casing, the said inlet being connected to a fluid supply, a valve seatassociated with the inlet, a needle valve I member within the casing adapted to be seated in the said seat to prevent the flow of fluid into the casing, the said valve mem- 1 her and seat. comprising a valve, the said valve being closed by the fluidwit-hin the cas- 3 ing when the pressure thereof exceeds a predetermined amount, and means for causing the valve member to become unseated, thereby 0 ening the valve when the pressure of the aid within the casing'drops below the predetermined amount, comprising a member having a button head formed on one end i which rests against the diaphragm, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to the inside wall of the casing, one end of which lever is adjustably connected to the button head member and whose otherend is connected to the valve member, resilient means surrounding the other'end of the button head member and disposed intermediate the end of the lever connected to the member and the wall of the casing, the said endof the button head the inlet, the said plug having a head abutting the inner wall of the casing and provided with a groove for receiving a sealing substance, the said; head being tightly clampedto' the inner Wall of the casing to main tain the sealing substance in position intermediate it and the casing wall so as to pre- I vent leakage into the casing from the inlet around the threads on the plug, a valve member within the casing adapted to be seated in the seat afforded by the plug to prevent the flow of fluid into the casing, the said valve member and plug seat comprising a valve, said valve being closed by the fluid within the casing when the pressure thereof exceeds a predeterminedamount, and means for causing the valve member to become unseated, thereby opening the valve when the pressure of the fluid Within the casing drops below a predetermined amount.

3. In a valve of the class described, the combination. of a casing" having an inlet, an actuating element, a needle valve controlling said inlet, a pivoted lever connectedto operate the needle valve; and means adjustably connecting said lever with said actuating means, said connecting means acting as a stop for said actuating means.

4. In a valve of, the class described, the (ombination of a casing having an inlet, an actuating diaphragm, a backing member for said diaphragm, a needle valve controlling said inlet, a ivoted lever having pivotal connection wit the needle valve, and means adjustably connecting said lever with said diaphragm, said connecting means acting as a stop for said actuating diaphragm.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30 day of April, 1925.- WILLIAM F. Bil-IL. 

